Nithyananda Ashram

Bhagawan Nithyananda arrived somewhere between 1923-27 in Kanhangad with some divine mission, best to known to him, but the manifestations stand even today – the  43 holy caves that he specially built with his own hand, by carving all the  43 caves in a single laterite stone, an engineering marvel beyond human comprehension. The cave stone is like a rock that breathes; it feels warm in the cold season and cool in the hot season.

Bhagwan chose are area near the old dilapidated Hosdurg Fort, that is about a kilometre away from the Kanhangad railway station. This fort is one of the many forts built during the 15-16th century by the Ikkeri Nayaks.

Above the 43 caves, was built the Nithyananda Temple in 1963, which has a huge live-looking idol of Bhagwan that is made out of Panchaloha. This beautiful idol accurately resembles the original look of Bhagwan seated with his right hand blessing all in the Abhaya mudra (gesture for fearlessness). You may read more about this  Nithyananda Temple here.

Historical Aspects of Kanhangad

Kanhangad is a historical site in Kannur district of Kerala state, south India. It was a port in the 11th century. Merchants from Arabs came here. During the reign of the princely state, Kanhangad was under the Vijayanagara kings of Karnataka. After the end of the Vijayanagara state, Bhadrappa Nayaka, the local king of the kingdom, conquered Kanhangad and the surrounding areas. His successor, King Vallabhan, built the fort of Hosdurg. Later, when King Ikkeri of the Vallabhan dynasty ruled, Tipu Sultan’s invasion took place. The prowess of the Ikkeri Raja’s army was successful in defeating the enemy. Thus says a history.

Kanhangad was one of the thirty-two taluk villages called Payyannur Kazhagam. The region was ruled by Kolatari, king of the Charkalas. Thundarasa Kanna was the ruler of Kanhangad. A small fort is built by him. Later, Ikkeri, Kannada Arasa Raja, took possession of Kanhangad and built the Hosadurga. Hosadurga means a new fort in Kannada. So the town gets its name. There is a history behind the name Kanhangad as well. The king of the Kolathila dynasty, Kanhana, after his death in the war, the village was given the name Kanhangad after him. It is said to have been called Kanhangad.

Below is another temple which is the Samadhi Temple of Swami Janananda that was constructed in 1989 after his Mahasamadhi. You may read more about this  Janananda Swami Samadhi Temple here. Swami Janananda was referred to as Lord Dattatreya by Bhagwan. You may read more on the website about  The Life of Swami Janananda, his  relationship with his Guru, and  his teachings.

Regular daily pujas are performed at both Swami Nithyananda Temple and Swami Janananda Temple. You may check with the timings  here.

A view of the Nityananda Temple built above the 43 caves. The below building is the ashram office besides which is the open entrance to the samadhi of Swami Janananda

Bhagwan Nithyananda Temple

The Nithyananda Temple above the 43 caves

The room besides Nithyananda Temple for spiritual programs like chants, homams, etc

Swami Janananda Samadhi Temple

The large which is right in front of the  Janananda Swami Samadhi Temple open hall has witnessed many divine, programs and festivals. Around this hall comfortable wide stone seating invites visitors to spend time in silence and absorb the divine energies of this place. It is an area conducive for relaxation and contemplation. Mobile phones are prohibited in this area and the  holy caves.

Swami Janananda’s samadhi is inside this temple and daily thrice puja is done right after the puja in the above Nithyananda Temple.Next to the samedhi temple is the  
personal room of Swami Janananda.

Read 
more about Swami Janananda and the precious  Guru-Disciple relationship.

Read more about the 
teachings of Swami Janananda.

Bhagawan Nithyananda arrived somewhere between 1923-27 in Kanhangad with some divine mission, best to known to him, but the manifestations stand even today – the  43 holy caves that he specially built with his own hand, by carving all the  43 caves in a single laterite stone, an engineering marvel beyond human comprehension. The cave stone is like a rock that breathes; it feels warm in the cold season and cool in the hot season. Bhagwan chose are area near the old dilapidated Hosdurg Fort, that is about a kilometre away from the Kanhangad railway station. This fort is one of the many forts built during the 15-16th century by the Ikkeri Nayaks. Above the 43 caves, was built the Nithyananda Temple in 1963, which has a huge live-looking idol of Bhagwan that is made out of Panchaloha. This beautiful idol accurately resembles the original look of Bhagwan seated with his right hand blessing all in the Abhaya mudra (gesture for fearlessness). You may read more about this  Nithyananda Temple here

The sacred 43 caves

For full details on the holy 43 caves please click here

Accomodation in Ashram

The Nithyananda Ashram today is well developed with  comfortable accommodation for visitors on donation basis. It also provides free accommodation to the wandering Yogis and Sanyasis who prefer to halt, rest, meditate and proceed to their respective journeys. The ashram also provides free food to the visitors and also regular free food (balbhojan) to the children, which is something that Bhagwan was very fond of. His main instruction, wherever he went, would be, to feed poor children. The food though simple satvik food is delicious, undoubtedly the grace of Bhagwan’s energies in this place. 

For more details on accommodation & room bookings please click here

Ashram Goshala (Cow Shelter)

Throughout the ashram echoes the holy chant of “Om Namo Bhagawathey Nityanandaya”. The ashram office is situated near the holy caves itself and ashram office can be contacted for any kind of  online or personal sevas enquiries room bookings purchase of any books or divine items, or for  donation purposes Gaushala (cow shelter) is now an addition to the ashram and helps in providing milk, cowdung and cow urine, which is considered medicinal. 

Round Table

A kilometre away from the ashram is the  Round Table that was the place Bhagwan would sit once upon a time surrounded by devotees. Sitting here in trance, Bhagwan spoke of what he saw through in his inner vision abouts the happenings around the world. He mentioned various incidents happening in London and the next day’s newspapers reported those incidents. This  Round Table is in a place called Kushal Nagar close to the Kanhangad beach. Here there is a well that is used even today which was constructed by Bhagwan back then. Kushal Nagar also happens to be the place where Bhagwan instructed another disciple, Sadanand Swami who later came to be known as Padiyar Swami, to live in a house given to him. Padiyar Swami, following the instructions of Bhagwan, lived here and took Samadhi. The Samadhi is walkable distance from the  Round Table.

Guruvanam

Another temple belonging to the ashram is the  BalaNithyananda Temple at  Guruvanam that is about 5 kms from this ashram. 

Guruvanam is the place where Bhagwan had arrived first in his teenage days and had spent a lot of time in the deep holy cave. The whole place is well preserved even today. Click to know more about  Guruvanam

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